A new family run  independent coffee chain has opened next to Thornton Heath station.

Coffee Zone, is the fourth coffee shop opened by Azhar Mahmood.

The thriving chain includes premises at Crawley, Horley and Burgess Hill which are all rented from Network Rail and a further outlet at Three Bridges run by his brother- in-law.

Mr Mahmood spent two months transforming the long empty premises  on Brigstock Road into a bright and modern cafe  with seating upstairs. 

Features include a mini candleabra and the original station portal window  upstairs with plans for more interior design to make the seating area  even more comfortable with plants and pictures.

The venture is already proving popular with locals since opening this month and Mr Ashar said: “People have been very welcoming and nice .”

Mr Mahmood is keen to emphasis that it is a family run business and that  all the food is fresh and locally sourced with everything baked and made on site.

Coffee Zone offers the traditional standard coffee shop fair; breakfast, sandwiches and cakes along with a selection of bagels  and hot drinks.